withdrawn himself and is gone; we shall seek him, but we shall not find him; we shall call him, but he will give us no answer.' Solomon's Song. v. 6,

4. One inquiry more is thus naturally suggested, viz. what is the believer to do under the hidings of God's face, and how is the comfort of the divine presence to be recovered? Surely he had better follow the example of the bride, in the mystical Song of Solomon already referred to. He had better arise and go about the streets of the city, and search for his beloved.' Ib. v. 7. In other language, he had better search into himself, and closely examine his own heart for some latent sin or other, which has driven the Lord away, and hid his face from him: and when he hath found the rebel thought, let him drag the traitor out and slay it; let him humble himself in the presence of God, confess his sin, and weep over his iniquity. The course of penitence and prayer is the path of a gracious return. Let then the resolution of the prophet be his, I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.' Isaiah viii. 17. Let the Spirit of David's supplication, which is thrice repeated in the 80th Psalm, be the spirit of his entreaty,- Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.' Verses 3, 7, 19. Let him adopt the admonition addressed by Hosea to backsliding Israel, O Israel, return unto the Lord thy

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God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity: take with you words, and turn unto the Lord, and say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously.' Hosea xiv. 1, 2. Then will the child of God, who has been for a while walking in darkness, obtain pardon and peace through the advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous then will he take to himself the comfort of that delightful promise by the hand of the prophet Isaiah,- For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee, in a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer !' Isaiah liv. 7, 8.

5. Finally, my brethren, if ye would uninterruptedly enjoy the favour of God, and bask continually in the full blaze of the light of his countenance, then endeavour, by the help of the Spirit, to please him always by faith in Christ, and by good works in the profession of the gospel ; endeavour to walk without deviation in his holy ways, with uniform submission to his holy will; and strive to cultivate all those amiable and estimable qualities in righteousness, and peace, and true holiness, which are the fruits of his grace, as well as the furniture of a heart intended for the tabernacle of God and for the residence of the indwelling Spirit. So shall ye enjoy every comfortable assurance of his good will: a daily sense of divine favour will promote and perfect your

daily happiness; and daily too will ye be enabled to take to yourselves the refreshing language of the Mosaical benediction,- The Lord bless thee and keep thee, the Lord make his face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee, the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.' Numbers vi. 24-26.

SERMON XVI.

THE SAVIOUR'S LEGACY.

JOHN XIV. 27.

• Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.'

IT is an almost universal practice for those, who have anything in the world to leave behind them, to make their wills, as we call it, before their departure out of this life: and useful as this custom certainly is in all cases, it is particularly needful, when the testator desires to make any special bequests. Those who have much leave much such persons as are surrounded by a numerous circle of relations are often in the habit of allotting portions of their property respectively to each; and frequently they direct what shall be done with their earthly remains, and how their

mortal bodies shall be disposed of in the grave. Such legal instruments are rendered valid by the sign and seal of the respective testator, are corroborated by lawful witnesses, and are put in force after the demise of the parties bequeathing.

But, brethren, what is the aim of these introductory remarks? Is it not that I may directly lead your thoughts to a subject of a pleasing character, and one which is well adapted for promoting your spiritual edification? It is even

this -Our blessed Lord, who was made like unto his brethren in all things,' resembled them also in this point; for when he was about to leave the world he made his will. He committed his soul to his heavenly Father,' observes an excellent commentator, his body he bequeathed to Joseph to be decently interred, his clothes fell to the lot of the soldiers, and his mother he entrusted to the beloved apostle.' But what was he to leave his poor disciples? They surely deserved to be well remembered, for they had forsaken all to follow him; they had been faithful to him during all the course of his public ministry; they had continued with him in his temptations, and although in the days of his flesh, in respect of his prerogative as head over all things to the church, he had appointed them a kingdom' in reversion, (see Luke xxii. 28-30,) shall he leave them upon his departure out of this life, without a token of his special love, without a constant and abiding pledge of their acceptableness with him and pre